Hubby with no friends

[duckduckswan]

He’s self employed, works alone (apart from perhaps talking to customers a handful of times a week) and for very long hours, no hobbies, perfectly amiable, not a pub man, has a couple offriends from school days (but they are extremely sociable and busy and I think they remain friends just because of a shared history). We have 3 kids, 1 with severe disabilities. Live in a isolated rural place. I haven’t got loads of friends but I definitely have many more positive social interactions than him. He complains at times that he’s lonely. How do I go about getting him some friends?! I want to go out and not feel guilty that he never does 😁

Could you manage to go out together to a shared interest? Could he get involved in a community project? Does he have a hobby and want to set up a group locally?

Any Men's Sheds nearby?

I think find a hobby he can join in, someth8 g he’d like to do. Might not lead to close friendship but would extend his social interaction a bit.

Any walking groups near you or men’s shed?

Any of the children’s friends have dads who seem nice, who he could arrange a play date outing and get to know a bit more.

No idea why I’m offering advice. I’m shit at friendships.

Its not your responsibility, nor should you feel guilty. He's a grown man. If he needs friends it's up to him to sort.

@MissAmbrosia

Its not your responsibility, nor should you feel guilty. He's a grown man. If he needs friends it's up to him to sort.

Yes, it is, but that’s a bit of an uncaring attitude to take towards your OH. My DH is similar and I’ve encouraged him to start participating in a local sports group. He doesn’t find it easy to make friends and has made a really good start with the group.

I know on MN the prevailing attitude is that husbands and male partners should never, ever ask for support from their OH, find things difficult or need help, but personally, I thought supporting and caring for each other was a key part of a good relationship.

It would be a pretty unhappy life for all of us if we flatly refused to do anything to help the person we love.